By NEIL ASHTON
Frank Lampard is wanted by former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri at French second division side Monaco as the England midfielder prepares to quit Stamford Bridge.
Ranieri signed Lampard from West Ham for £11million in 2001. Although the Italian was fired by Roman Abramovich in May 2004, Lampard retains a healthy respect for him as a coach.
Ranieri wants to take advantage of Lampard’s fading star at Chelsea after the London club failed to open talks with the player over a new deal.
Sportsmail revealed Ranieri’s interest last month and Monaco are ready to make an official approach if Chelsea signal they are prepared to let him leave.
Although Monaco cannot match Lampard’s net salary of around £130,000 a week, the principality is tax-free and will appeal to the Chelsea midfielder, although his children from a previous relationship are in London.
Soon after taking over as Chelsea interim coach, Rafa Benitez said Lampard and left back Ashley Cole would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Lampard, 34, has been told his contract will not be renewed in the summer after 12 years at the club, during which he has won three Premier League titles.
Although he was on the bench for the Club World Cup semi-final victory over Mexican side Monterrey, he started the final against Corinthians and captained the team in the absence of John Terry.
Before flying back from Japan, Lampard emphasised Chelsea’s need to re-ignite their domestic season, starting with the Capital One Cup quarter-final tie at Leeds on Wednesday.
He said: ‘We have to pick it up for Leeds. We have to go there and stand up and get our form back at home.
‘Win this and we’re in the semi-final and with the possibility of a decent draw but we’ve got to win the games. It’s tough to go to Elland Road. There’s a rivalry. We’re aware of it and we have to play with passion and do the physical side of things. They’re going to be right at it. We can’t expect to go up there and tap it around and get a result.’
The last time Leeds manager Neil Warnock heard from Benitez it was to threaten legal action.
Warnock has criticised Benitez several times since his Sheffield United side were relegated on the last day of the 2007 season, admitting he ‘hated’ the Spaniard for fielding what he felt was an under-strength Liverpool team against Fulham a week earlier.
‘I don’t think I should get into that,’ said Warnock. ‘The last time I heard from Rafael he was threatening to sue me in an email if I mentioned it again.
‘But enough water has passed under the bridge. I don’t want to give you any more ammunition.’
